Plum tree named ‘Suplumfiftyone’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct plum tree variety,  Prunus salicina , cv. ‘Suplumfiftyone’ is characterized by having large fruit with dark red flesh. The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfiftyone’ is also moderately firm, juicy and has a mild sweet flavor. The date of the harvest of the fruit of the new variety is later than for ‘Black Splendor’ (unpatented). The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfiftyone’ ripens with nearly same timing as the fruit of ‘Friar’ (unpatented) but has a dark red flesh compared to yellow-colored flesh for the fruit of ‘Friar’.

Latin name of the genus and species claimed: Prunus salicina.

Variety denomination: ‘Suplumfiftyone’.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the discovery and asexual propagation of a newand distinct variety of plum, Prunus salicina cv. ‘Suplumfiftyone’. Thenew variety was first originated by hybridization in July 2013 by TerryA. Bacon as breeder number ‘PL1617RB’.

The new variety ‘Suplumfiftyone’ is characterized by having large fruitwith dark red flesh. The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfiftyone’ ismoderately firm, juicy and has a mild sweet flavor.

The seed parent is ‘PL888RB’ (unpatented breeding selection), and thepollen parent is bulk pollen of several midseason plums. The parentvarieties were first crossed in February 2010, with the date of firstsowing being February 2011, and the date of first flowering beingFebruary 2013. The new plum variety ‘Suplumfiftyone’ was first asexuallypropagated by Terry Bacon near Wasco, Kern County, Calif. in February2014 by dormant grafting.

The new variety ‘Suplumfiftyone’ is similar to its seed parent ‘PL888RB’in that both varieties have a red flesh. The new variety‘Suplumfiftyone’ differs from ‘PL888RB’ in that the fruit of the newvariety is larger than the fruit of ‘PL888RB’, at 170 g compared to 129g for ‘PL888RB’. The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfiftyone’ alsoripens about 2 weeks earlier than that of ‘PL888RB’.

The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfiftyone’ ripens about the same timeas the fruit of the variety ‘Friar’ (unpatented), but the fruit of thenew variety ‘Suplumfiftyone’ has a red flesh compared to yellow fleshfor ‘Friar’. The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfiftyone’ has a redflesh that is similar to the flesh of the fruit of the variety ‘BlackSplendor’ (unpatented), but the fruit of the new variety‘Suplumfiftyone’ starts ripening about 43 days later than that of ‘BlackSplendor’.

The new variety ‘Suplumfiftyone’ has been shown to maintain itsdistinguishing characteristics through successive asexual propagationsby, for example, cuttings and grafting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration FIG. 1 shows typicalspecimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new plum variety‘Suplumfiftyone’. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface ofthe leaves, a view of the fruit as a whole, the stone as a whole, and asectional view of a fruit divided across its suture plane to show fleshcolor, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. The photographicillustration was taken shortly after being picked and the colors are asnearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of thistype. The photographs depict fruit and vegetative growth from a fouryear old tree.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small lettersignify that the name of that color, as used in common speech is aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designatevalues based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, England, 1986.

The descriptive matter which follows pertains to four year old plants of‘Suplumfiftyone’ grown in the vicinity of Wasco, Kern County, Calif.,during 2017 and is believed to apply to plants of the variety grownunder similar conditions of soil and climate elsewhere.

TREE

-   General: (Measurements taken on four year old trees unless otherwise    noted.).    -   -   Size.—Medium, reaches a height of approximately 3 meters            including normal pruning.        -   Habit.—Spreading.        -   Vigor.—Medium, top shoot growth of at least 1 meter during            the growing season.        -   Productivity.—Very Productive.        -   Bearer.—On spurs and long shoots.        -   Fertility.—Self-incompatible; requires pollinator.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all fruit growing areas of California.            Winter chilling requirement is approximately 550 hours at or            below 7.2° C.        -   Disease resistance/susceptibility.—Under close observation            in Kern County, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease            resistance/susceptibility has been observed.        -   Insect resistance/susceptibility.—Under close observation in            Kern County, Calif., no particular plant/fruit insect            resistance/susceptibility has been observed.-   Trunk: (Measurements at approximately 30 cm above soil line on    mature trees).    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 14 cm.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, increasing with the age of the tree.        -   Trunk color.—About Dark Greyed-Orange 166A, becoming darker            with age.-   Branches: (Measurements at approximately 90 cm above soil line).    -   -   Size.—Diameter approximately 8 cm.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, increasing with age.        -   Color.—About Medium Grey 201B with highlights of about            Medium Greyed-Brown 199B, becoming darker with age.        -   Lenticels.—Present.        -   Lenticels density.—Plentiful, about 12/cm².        -   Lenticels color.—About Light Grey 201D.        -   Lenticels dimensions.—Length: approximately 3 mm. Width:            approximately 1 mm.-   Flowering shoots: (Data taken in September at mid-point of current    season growth.).    -   -   Size.—Average diameter approximately 5 mm.        -   Color.—Topside: About Dark Greyed-orange 176A. Underside:            About Dark Greyed-Orange 176A.        -   Internode length.—Approximately 2.5 cm. Midway on flowering            shoot.        -   Flowering shoot lenticels.—Plentiful. Color: About Light            Grey 201D. Diameter: Approximately 0.5 mm.        -   Flowering shoot vegetative buds.—Size: Medium, approximately            1.5 mm×2.5 mm. Shape: Conical. Bud shape at apex: Acute.            Color: About Dark Greyed-Orange 177A.        -   Flowering shoot flower buds.—Shape: Acute. Dimensions:            Approximately 1.5 mm×2.8 mm. Color: About Dark Greyed-Orange            177A. Distribution: 2-6 buds, generally on spurs and one            year old shoots.        -   Ratio of flowering buds to vegetative buds.—2-6 flower buds            to 1 vegetative bud.        -   Anthocyanin intensity on upper side of shoot.—Strong.        -   Spur length.—Medium, usually 10 mm.        -   Position of vegetative bud in relation to shoot.—Slightly            held out.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaves: (Data taken in September on fully expanded leaves at    mid-point of the current season growth.).    -   -   Average length.—Medium; approximately 8 cm without petiole.        -   Average width.—Medium; approximately 3.6 cm.        -   Length/width ratio.—Moderately elongated, about 2.2:1.        -   Color.—Upper surface: About Dark Green 136A. Lower surface:            About Medium Green 139B.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Tip.—Cuspidate.        -   Base.—Acuminate.        -   Margin.—Crenate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Vein color.—About Medium Green 138B with highlights of            Medium Greyed-Orange 176C where exposed to sun.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth upper and lower surfaces.        -   Shape in the cross section.—Concave.        -   Angle at apex.—Right angled.        -   Profile.—Up folded.        -   Leaf blade tip.—Curved downwardly.        -   Undulation of margin.—Slight.        -   Glossiness of upper side.—Weak.        -   Density of pubescence of lower side.—Absent or very sparse.-   Petiole:    -   -   Average length.—Approximately 12 mm.        -   Average diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.        -   Color.—About Medium Green 138B with highlights of Medium            Greyed-Orange 176C where exposed to sun.-   Stipules:    -   -   Number/leaf bud.—Usually one.        -   Typical length.—Approximately 8 mm.        -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-Orange 166A.        -   Persistence.—Falls off.-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Average number.—Approximately 0-2.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.3 mm.        -   Color.—About Medium Greyed-Yellow 162A becoming Dark            Greyed-Orange 166A over time.

FLOWERS

-   General:    -   -   Time of beginning of flowering.—Medium for the San Joaquin            Valley, Calif.        -   Flower blooming period.—First bloom: Approximately February            22 in Wasco, Calif. Full bloom: Approximately February 26 in            Wasco, Calif.        -   Location of first bloom.—Tips of one year old shoots.        -   Location of full bloom.—Central part of the tree canopy.        -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 10 days.        -   Diameter of fully opened flower.—Medium, approximately 2 cm.        -   Flower form.—Showy.-   Pedicels:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 10 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.2 mm.        -   Color.—About Light Green 139D.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.-   Petals:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Arrangement.—Overlapping.        -   Color.—About White 155A.        -   Length.—Medium, approximately 8 mm.        -   Width.—Approximately 7 mm.        -   Shape.—Circular.        -   Apex shape.—Rounded.        -   Base shape.—Narrows at point of attachment.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Undulation of margins.—Medium.        -   Frequency of flowers with double petals.—None.        -   Claw.—Absent.-   Sepals:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Length.—Approximately 4 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 3 mm.        -   Shape.—Medium ovate.        -   Color.—About Light Green 139D.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Margins.—Undulating.        -   Positioning.—Adpressed to petals.        -   Frequency of flowers with double sepals.—None.-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—Usually 25-32, usually 28.        -   Average length.—Variable, ranging from 3 mm to 10 mm.        -   Filament color.—About White 155A.        -   Flower pollen color.—About Light Yellow-Orange 18C.        -   Position.—Perigynous.-   Pistil:    -   -   Average length.—Approximately 3-4 mm.        -   Ovary diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Stigma extension in comparison to anthers.—Usually above.        -   Style frequency of supplementary pistils.—Few.-   Receptacle:    -   -   Depth.—Medium, approximately 4 mm.        -   Pubescence of inner surface.—Absent.        -   Pubescence of outer surface.—Absent.

FRUIT

-   General: (Description taken near Wasco, Kern County, Calif.).-   Ripening:    -   -   Time of beginning of fruit ripening.—Medium, mid-season.        -   Date of first pick.—Approximately July 24.        -   Date of last pick.—Approximately August 3.        -   Maturity when described.—Firm.        -   Position of maximum diameter.—Towards the middle.-   Size:    -   -   Height.—Tall, approximately 68 mm.        -   Diameter in line with suture plane.—Approximately 68 mm.        -   Diameter perpendicular to suture plane.—Broad, approximately            68 mm.        -   Average weight.—Approximately 170 gm.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length of stem.—Short, approximately 7 mm.        -   Diameter of stem.—Approximately 3 mm.        -   Color of stem.—About Light Green 139D.-   Shape:    -   -   Viewed from apex.—Circular.        -   Viewed in-line with suture.—Circular.        -   Viewed from side, perpendicular to suture.—Circular.        -   Symmetry.—Symmetric.        -   Shape of base.—Slightly depressed.        -   Shape of apex.—Slightly pointed.-   Fruit stem cavity:    -   -   Depth of stalk cavity.—Shallow; Approximately 6 mm.        -   Width of stalk cavity.—Medium; Approximately 12 mm.        -   Depth of suture.—Absent.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Adherence to flesh.—Strong.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Bloom.—Medium.        -   Ground color.—Not visible.        -   Overcolor.—About Dark Greyed-Purple 187A, becoming fully            Black 202A.        -   Pattern of overcolor.—Solid.        -   Reticulation.—Absent.        -   Tendency to crack.—Rare.        -   Number of lenticels.—Medium; about 7/cm².        -   Size of lenticels.—Very small and difficult to see; less            than 0.5 mm.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm-juicy.        -   Flavor.—Mildly sweet.        -   Color.—About Dark Red 53B.        -   Firmness.—Firm, typically 10-13 lb pressure to harvest.        -   Juice.—High, able to squeeze free juice easily.        -   Acidity.—Medium for plums, 0.46% titratable acidity.        -   Sweetness.—High, about 18 degrees btix at harvest.        -   Adherence to stone.—Semi-free.        -   Amount of fiber.—Low.-   Fruit use: Fresh market.-   Fruit shipping and keeping quality: Good.-   Stone:    -   -   Stone freeness.—Semi-free.        -   Stone size.—Size: Medium. Length: Approximately 19 mm.            Diameter in line with suture plan: Approximately 18 mm.            Diameter perpendicular to suture plane: Approximately 8 mm.        -   Color.—About Medium Greyed-Yellow 161B when dried.        -   Position of maximum diameter.—Middle.        -   Shape from lateral view.—Circular.        -   Shape from ventral view.—Narrow elliptic.        -   Shape from basal view.—Narrow elliptic.        -   Base shape.—Nearly straight.        -   Apex shape.—Pointed.        -   Stone ridgers.—Rounded throughout.        -   Stone outgrowing keel.—Well developed.        -   Ventrical edge.—Thin with wing toward middle.        -   Dorsal edge.—Narrow, shallow grooves throughout.        -   Fibers.—Not visible.        -   Symmetry in lateral view.—Moderately asymmetrical.        -   Texture of lateral surface.—Rough.        -   Width of stalk-end.—Narrow.        -   Tendency to split.—Rare.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of plum tree as hereindescribed and illustrated.